Council warn tenants over gas inspections

Aug 28 2008 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

A BLUNT warning is being issued to more than 600 South Lanarkshire Council tenants who have so far failed to allow engineers to inspect their gas appliances.

Housing director Jim Hayton said staff would force their way into properties if rent-book holders continued to refuse access requests.

The council are responsible for gas appliances in 17,161 council homes.

For safety reasons, they have a legal obligation to carry out annual checks on fires and boilers.

Although most properties have been inspected this year, the council have been unable to carry out checks on appliances in 631 homes.

British Gas have now been commissioned to undertake visits to homes where appliances have not yet been serviced.

House calls will begin in Blantyre during the first two weeks of September, followed by addresses in other parts of South Lanarkshire. Tenants will receive letters from the council, advising them of the arrangements.

Mr Hayton said: “We have carried out inspections at almost all of our properties but there are still a few where we have not been able to gain access.

“We have tried repeatedly to remedy this by booking and re-booking appointments, sending letters and carrying out personal visits to try to set up a time that is suitable to the tenant.

“It would only be as a last resort that we would force our way into a property to carry out these checks.

“However, it is something we will do if we cannot get in to the property in any other way as we need to carry out these checks to ensure the safety of those living in the property and also of those living nearby.”

All British Gas employees visiting council properties will carry both British Gas and CORGI identification, which householders should ask to see.